More Than a Stormwater Solution: Community Engagement Enhances Flood Management in New Mexico

When heavy rain falls in southern New Mexico, arroyos (dry watercourses that temporarily or seasonally fill and flow after sufficient rain) can quickly become dangerous channels, sending stormwater rushing through low-lying communities like the Village of Doña Ana. For years, local officials have sought flood management solutions to help reduce this risk. While in the process of designing a practical flood retention pond, community members and planners discovered an opportunity to do more through input from residents—to not only build a place to hold water, but a place to create community connection.

What began as a standard flood mitigation site has evolved into El Parque Alegre de Doña Ana, a 14-acre community space that blends natural hazard reduction with cultural preservation, habitat restoration, and recreation. At the heart of the project’s transformation was a deep collaboration between Doña Ana County, the Doña Ana Village Association, the National Park Service’s Rivers, Trails & Conservation Assistance (RTCA) Program, and support from SWCA Environmental Consultants (SWCA).

Aligning Flood Risk Mitigation with Community Vision

In 2022, the RTCA Program hired SWCA to facilitate the project’s Flood Team, a group tasked with developing a flood management plan that also supported the goals of residents. Originally envisioned as a retention pond, the site became the foundation for a more holistic space that manages peak stormwater discharge while also offering shaded trails, outdoor classrooms, pollinator gardens, and access to a preserved portion of the historic El Camino Real Trail.

SWCA facilitated design meetings, encouraged active community engagement, translated technical planning into accessible visuals, and provided ecological recommendations to enhance arroyo habitat. The resulting flood management plan emphasized native vegetation, multi-generational engagement, and opportunities for outdoor learning, all while maintaining the site’s primary function as a flood control feature.

Collaborative Design and Community Engagement

El Parque Alegre de Doña Ana Map

The final design reflects years of partnership, community engagement, and shared investment. In addition to the RTCA Program and the Flood Team, local leaders and residents played a central role in shaping the park’s features, and a public-facing fact sheet celebrated the project and captured its collaborative spirit.

In June 2025, the project reached a major milestone with a ribbon-cutting ceremony where families, officials, and design partners came together to celebrate the space. With pollinator gardens in bloom, trails ready for walking, and interpretive signs to learn from, El Parque Alegre de Doña Ana opened as more than a stormwater solution, but as a place of beauty, learning, and community connection.

Supporting the Future of Resilient Communities through Effective Flood Management Planning

SWCA’s involvement early in this project’s conceptual development highlights our commitment to building stronger communities through science, innovation, and nature-based solutions. From climate risk modeling and stakeholder engagement to long-term resilience planning, our teams are helping communities turn necessary infrastructure into meaningful places.

El Parque Alegre de Doña Ana is one example of how collaborative flood management planning and thoughtful design can turn a functional space into a cherished one. And as more communities seek to align climate resilience with livability, community engagement and partnerships will continue to play a critical role in shaping what’s next.

Learn more about Resilience Services and Community Engagement Services at SWCA.